LOUDON, N.H. — Ryan Newman will not return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, with Kevin Harvick replacing him with the three-car team, team co-owner Tony Stewart confirmed Friday.

Newman left Penske Racing for Stewart-Haas Racing when Stewart was given 50 percent ownership of Haas CNC Racing prior to the 2009 season. He has enjoyed limited success at SHR but has a strong friendship with Stewart.

Ryan Newman will not return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. (AP Photo)

“We’re not ready to expand to a fourth team so unfortunately this will be the last year we have Ryan with us,” Stewart said Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“That’s probably what’s made this a bittersweet day. I’m bringing in another one of my friends into the organization, but I also know I’m losing a friend at the end of the year.”

Stewart-Haas announced Friday that Budweiser will sponsor Harvick for 20 races next season.

The 35-year-old Newman, who won 13 races in seven years at Penske, made the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2009 and 2011 with SHR and has won three races in his four-pus seasons with the organization. He has finished no higher than ninth in the standings, however, and is currently 16th. He won a career-high eight races and finished a career-high sixth in points with Penske in 2003.

Newman finished 14th in the standings last year and his contract was up after the 2012 season. With SHR losing the U.S. Army partial-season sponsorship, Newman said that he took a pay cut in signing a one-year deal to return to the team, which pieced together sponsorship from Quicken Loans and other companies for this season.

With Stewart, Harvick and Danica Patrick signed for the three-car team for 2014 that leaves Newman on the outside looking in.

“I’m behind (Newman) 100 percent; I believe in him 100 percent,” Stewart said. “I truly wish we were able to facilitate four teams at this time. We’re just not able to do that.

“Down the road, I’m sure that if that becomes a possibility that he would most definitely be on a list to fill the fourth seat.”

Newman said he was told Wednesday night of the decision during a 20-minute phone call with Stewart, whom he still considers a good friend.

“I do not know what my future holds,” Newman said. “I have no idea right now, and I didn’t have any idea at this time last year.

“… I can’t say that I’m happy with how everything unfolded. I know that there are business decisions and business decisions sometimes trump friendships. I don’t feel like that was the case. In the end, I’m happy with the three wins I’ve had so far with Stewart-Haas and the performance.”

While he has had several sponsors (Quicken Loans, Wix, Aspen Dental, Outback Steakhouse, Code 3 Associates), Newman said he didn’t know if any of his sponsors would stick with him if he goes to another team. His conversations with other teams have been limited and he said he did not know if he would land a Cup ride for next season.

“I want to be someplace where I’m wanted,” he said. “I want to be wanted for my abilities. … I haven’t had much conversations. I’ve been focused on this year and performing like we were capable.”

“I’ve had a good run (at SHR),” Newman said. “I look forward to finishing out this year. … I have no answers (for next year).”

Stewart said he and Newman would remain friends.

“The No. 1 thing when Ryan and I spoke is that our friendship will not change,” Stewart said. “This was a business decision that was Gene’s (Haas) as well as mine, and it was a hard decision.

“There’s a personal side and there’s a business side. For Ryan and I, we had to put the personal bit of it aside to work through the business part. I’ll do everything I can to help Ryan in any way I can moving forward to try to help him in his effort to find another team next year.”